Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week.

Traveltext

Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week

when it comes to awareness of men getting bc, I have seen surveys where 69% of people interviewed didn't know men can get this disease too. Since later diagnosis leads to poorer prognosis, you'd think the pink charities would be working extra hard to reverse this inequality. Not so.

OK, men make up one percent of the total bc diagnoses, but this is the same percentage of women under 30 who get the disease. We'd hardily ignore those people. In fact, it's sometimes the opposite, in that they are often used to promote awareness of the disease. When was the last time you saw a guy being presented for awareness raising?

The Male Breast Cancer Coalition (the MBCC site is HERE) has been lobbying the governors of all US states and, to date, 44 have agreed to set aside the third week in October as Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week. At last there's a chance to have our voice heard in the month when pinkness does nothing for men at risk except reinforce bc as a women- only disease.

I have to say I'm a great fan of BCO and landed here when I was looking for help with my IBC treatment. There was a thread titled, "This Ain't Facebook All about IBC" where I lucked out to "meet' a great bunch of people. The thread disappeared when the original poster pulled the plug, but we've built it back up to the "IBC Lounge", where many of the same plus more people can be found helping each other.

But, I think BCO could do a lot better with their efforts to help men. The MaleBC discussion boards here have been moribund for the two plus years that I've been here. As far as I know, I'm the only man with the disease posting here regularly. I have had PM's from many men looking for support support outside a public posting. My training as a cancer telephone counsellor has come in useful at other times, as well, and I've contacted perhaps 10 more men elsewhere. Mostly guys are just pleased to just connect with other men in their situation so that they don't feel so weird.

This brings me to The MaleBC Manifesto, a few requests that should be easy for pink charities to take on board.

We ask breast cancer groups to:

• Reduce the sexual stereotyping of breast cancer as being exclusively a female disease.

• Include a splash of blue among the pink to raise awareness of male breast cancer.

• Institute a day in October to publicise male breast cancer.

• Advocate for one percent of funds raised on research for male breast cancer.

• Advocate for a screening program for men with an hereditary predisposition to breast cancer.

• Provide inclusive imagery and language across all mediums to acknowledge the disease exists in men.

• Build a sense of importance and belonging within cancer support groups for male breast cancer patients and their carers.

• Provide easy access to relevant up-to-date information for men that is prominently displayed and accessible by all groups.

• Promote breast cancer research and development funding programs that include the male experience.

I really hope BCO will consider these points as part of the forthcoming site update.

Traveltext

A good summary: Breast Cancer in Men: Where we are in 2016 READ

glennie19

Traveltext

A suggestion for BCO: for every 100 articles posted, post one relating to men with the disease.

Traveltext

Another suggestion for BCO: consider appointing a male moderator who has had bc.

Moderators

All really great points, Travelertext! As always, we really appreciate your insightful perspective. Sending you a PM!

cliff

how about when the nfl changes to pink uniforms for October, a few blurbs about male breast cancer too? I have beern telling all the guys that come through the electronics shop about breast cancer, and have been on tv for interviews twice. KAKETV.com, kake on your side, buddycheck 10. the guy beside the christmass tree. buddy check 10 is a thing started by kake tv to have people choose a "buddy" and call them on the 10th of each month reminding them to get checked for breast cancer.

Mominator

Welcome cliff to bco. I am very impressed! You've only been a member for a few days and already you've written over 50 posts. And yes, I saw your interview beside the Christmas tree. Your granddaughter is very cute. Be sure to call your buddy on Friday the 10th.  

Traveltext

Yes cliff, great to have you on BCO. You are one of several men I know who were diagnosed at stage IV because of lack of awareness in the community that men get this disease too. The low awareness levels are because pink charities don't put in enough effort to alter community perceptions. I mean, with awareness levels of men getting the disease running at 30% compared to 100% for women, you'd have wonder why the pink hoopla couldn't be altered to include a touch of blue.